h2g2 The Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy: Earth Edition

Noggin. I did say that energy+entropy can be said to be conserved. I meant that as energy decreases (the boulder rolls down the mountain and loses/releases its potential energy) entropy increases. For the universe as a whole though, this doesn't work because the potential energy becomes heat etc.

I'm rather pleased that something isn't conserved, even if entropy isn't quite a 'something' (as W might have said). I'm just struggling a little to identify the Noetheran 'take' on this fact.

Hey, you lot, am I the only one to try to follow Noggin here? Thanks to those who have commented anyway.

Noggin, I'm still trying to relate what you're saying to what I already know. Thanks for your patience.

toxx

Well, since this is what we would say of time, and entropy is a time-dependent concept - that makes sense. However, I think 'entropy' is really a metaconcept - which once again allows us to speak of its increasing. Hey! How do we do that?

toxx

The boulder rolls down the mountain and its potential energy is converted to energy of momentum.

Noggin

Sure thing Noggin. I just happened to be considering the energy distribution after the boulder stops. Not that it matters either way. It was just an application of the chosen example to the main item of concern: the state of the universe as a whole.

toxx

Generally speaking, I think the energy is more distributed, but I think entropy is a bit of a side issue here.

Noggin